edema

noun

ede·ma | \ i-ˈdē-mə

How to pronounce edema (audio)

\

Definition of edema

1 : an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

— called also dropsy

2a : watery swelling of plant organs or parts

b : any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings

Examples of edema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web High-altitude pulmonary edema is the biggest threat. — New York Times, "How Climbers Reached the Summit of K2 in Winter for the First Time," 19 Jan. 2021 For the last 30 years of his life, his legs had to be kept tightly wrapped in bandages and compression stockings because of chronic edema and varicose veins. — New York Times, "A Deeper, Darker Look at James Beard, Food Oracle and Gay Man," 15 Dec. 2020 At the same time, there’s edema: fluid trapped in the body. — Virginia Heffernan, Wired, "Something Was Wrong. My Nightgown Was in Flames," 10 Dec. 2020 The letter quotes an autopsy report saying that Grant sustained a prominent edema and a brain hemmorrhage from the impact. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "Family of Oscar Grant demands murder charges for second BART officer," 10 Dec. 2020 Following a Reinke's edema diagnosis -- that is, swelling of the vocal cords due to the presence of fluid -- Miley underwent surgery in November 2019. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, "Miley Cyrus Says Vocal Surgery Got Her Sober," 3 Sep. 2020 Other complications include laryngospasm, a spasm of the vocal cords, or pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs, in people with a history of lung disease. — USA Today, "Going to protest George Floyd's death? Here's how to protect yourself against tear gas, pepper spray," 2 June 2020 More: Mom, brother of teen found dead in Clippard Park taken into custody in Virginia The preliminary autopsy report showed Emma had pulmonary edema, a large amount of foam-like fluid in her lungs. — Segann March, Cincinnati.com, "Toxicology: 15-year-old Emma Roberts' death in Clippard Park ruled accidental overdose," 9 Apr. 2020 Altitude sickness, caused by going too high too fast, can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness and, at its extreme end, high altitude pulmonary edema, a potentially fatal buildup of fluid in the lungs. — Washington Post, "How a lifelong obsession with snow leopards led me to northern India," 10 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'edema.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

10 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Edema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edema. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for edema

edema

noun

ede·ma

variants: or chiefly British oedema \ i-ˈdē-mə

How to pronounce edema (audio)

\

plural edemas or chiefly British oedemas also edemata\ -mət-ə \ or chiefly British oedemata

Medical Definition of edema

: an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

— called also dropsy

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